STORY
The UK has told the United Nations Security Council that it intends to legislate to prohibit imports from illegal Israeli settlements and introduce sanctions against people and organisations which finance, support or facilitate settlement activity. Ambassador Kate Foster, the UK Deputy Permanent Representative to the UN, said that the measures were being developed with international partners to protect the viability of a two state solution.
Foster criticised the expansion of settlements in the West Bank and called for the proposed E1 development not to proceed, arguing that it would separate East Jerusalem from the West Bank. She also called on the Israeli Government to prevent settler violence and ensure that those responsible were held accountable. The UK urged Israel to release clearance revenues owed to the Palestinian Authority, provide sustainable banking arrangements and ease restrictions affecting movement, trade and employment.
Turning to Gaza, Foster said that the UK remained committed to the implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 2803 and the 20 Point Peace Plan. She called for Hamas to surrender its weapons, dismantle its infrastructure and relinquish control of Gaza. The UK has pledged $117 million in humanitarian and early recovery assistance during 2026, while calling on Israel to remove restrictions on humanitarian aid, end the killing in Gaza and withdraw.